There have been huge snowfalls over the past few days in both the Alps and Western North America.
Ski resorts in California have posted up to 3.2 metres (nearly 11 feet) of snowfall since Tuesday, Donner Ski Area is pictured above and bottom on Friday. In the Alps a number of areas say they’ve had more than two metres (nearly 7 feet) of snowfall in the same period.
Avalanche danger is at the maximum level in the Alps, ski resorts including Cervinia and Zermatt (pictured below) were temporarily cut off due to the danger and many resorts that weren’t closed anyway by the pandemic were temporarily closed due to on slope avalanche danger.
Ski areas in California have warned skiers of the danger of snow suffocation in tree wells and similar dangers off the groomed runs due to the exceptional fresh snow depth.
In Western Europe most ski slopes are either completely closed or only open to people live locally, in North America most ski areas are open under pandemic operating conditions.
